Video-Game Trade Group ESA Gets New President

The video game industry's main trade group announced a new president: Michael D. Gallagher, who has served as chief telecommunications and policy advisor to the Bush Administration.

In a call with reporters, Gallagher didn't give up much detail on what topics he think will be the most important or the most pressing things on his to-do list when he takes the reins at the Washington-based Entertainment Software Association later this month. "I intend to be a focal point of positive energy with policy makers," he said.

Gallagher's resume includes stints in both the public and private sector. He worked as vice president for state public policy at Verizon Wireless and as the Assistant Secretary for Commerce and Information in the United States Department of Commerce.

The ESA was formed in 1994. It was originally known as the Interactive Digital Software Association and formed as an industry effort to push back against threats of Congressional oversight sparked on Capitol Hill by then-controversial games like Mortal Kombat and Night Trap.

Gallagher's only predecessor in the ESA gig is former president, Doug Lowenstein, stepped down last year and is now president and chief executive of Private Equity Council, a lobbying group for the private equity industry.
And yes, Gallagher says he's a gamer. Gallagher gave shout-outs to titles like Halo and Mario Kart Racing yesterday and said that he and his wife have been playing Nintendo "Brain Age" games for the Nintendo's mobile "DS" system lately.